Analysis: Governor’s FY2025 Budget Address
Gov. JB Pritzker unveiled his 2025 budget proposal. Check it out to see how and which environmental priorities will be funded next year.
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IDNR
Monarch butterfly license plates finally available in Illinois
After seven years in the making, the state has unveiled the monarch butterfly decal license plate. Proceeds from the decals will benefit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Monarch Habitat Fund, which fosters habitats that support the beloved orange butterflies’ migratory journey south to Mexico each fall. The organization has a goal of adding 150
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Trust the Land: Looking at the Impacts of the Natural Areas Stewardship Act
The Natural Areas Stewardship Act allows IDNR to award grants to conservationists like land trusts. Now, over 5 years into the law, take a look back at the impacts of this bill with IEC’s Conservation Director Lindsay Keeney— the wins, progress made and the work that couldn’t have been done without it.
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Rep. Rita’s Legislation to Reduce Fishing License Fees Becomes Law
State Rep. Bob Rita has a new solution in Illinois law for anyone interested in fishing across the state but not so sure about paying the license fee. Rita, D-Blue Island, this year led the push for House Bill 2317. The bill significantly reduces the license fee for sport fishing or spearing for anyone 26 years
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Illinois environmentalists push for state action to protect wetlands after Supreme Court ruling rolls back federal rules
Across the country, marshes, swamps and bogs quietly soak up flood water and filter pollutants. Ecologists agree they are one of the best natural defenses against climate change. But after a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling, more than half of the country’s 118 million acres of wetlands, according to estimates from the environmental firm Earthjustice, will
Jen Walling Opinion: What Illinois can do since Supreme Court gutted federal protection of wetlands, waterways
The Supreme Court last week restricted the EPA’s ability to protect America’s waterways and wetlands. Illinois can’t afford to sit back and do nothing to protect both in our state, the head of the Illinois Environmental Council writes. Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Legislature must act immediately to
Analysis: Governor’s FY2024 Budget Address
Gov. JB Pritzker unveiled his 2024 budget proposal. Check it out to see how and which environmental priorities will be funded next year.
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A federal bill with bipartisan support could bring 20x more money to Illinois conservation efforts
That manatees still swim along Florida’s coast, grizzly bears still roam the west and bald eagles still fly in North American skies is due, in large part, to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 — once described by the Supreme Court as “the most comprehensive legislation for the preservation of endangered species enacted by any nation.”
Jen Walling: Pritzker should extend national climate leadership to nature-based solutions
Illinois is beautiful. Anyone who argues otherwise hasn’t experienced Shawnee’s Garden of the Gods at sunset, the rolling hills near the Apple River, the Mississippi River viewed from the top of the bluffs, waterfalls from Waterfall Glen in the suburbs to Ferne Clyffe in Shawnee, or Lake Michigan at sunrise. In his next term, Gov.
Agriculture Lease Agreements with Illinois Department of Natural Resources
In December of 2021, Lindsay Keeney and Eliot Clay of the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) sat down with Mike Chandler and Bob Caveny of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to discuss the department’s agriculture lease program. Mike Chandler is the Agricultural Lease Manager for the IDNR and has been with the department for 29 years. Bob Caveny is the Farm Programs Manager and has been with IDNR for 10 years.
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Analysis: Governor’s FY2023 Budget Address
Gov. JB Pritzker unveiled his 2023 budget proposal. Check it out to see how and which environmental priorities will be funded next year.
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Analysis: Governor’s 2022 Budget Address
Gov. JB Pritzker unveiled his 2022 budget proposal. Check it out to see how and which environmental priorities will be funded next year.
Analysis: Governor’s 2022 Budget Address Read More »
Gov. Pritzker’s Mid-term
IEC’s environmental analysis of Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration midway through his first term.
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Documenting Pollinators with Photography
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udbAZ5f7BjA In the 20th edition of the IEC Lunch and Learn Series, IEC is joined by Angella Moorehouse of Illinois Department of Natural Resources to discuss pollinator documentation using photography. Find links and resources from this session below: Illinois Department of Natural Resources website
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Pollinators and Backyard Habitat
In the seventh installment of IEC’s Lunch & Learn Series, Chris Young from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources joins us to discuss pollinators, creating habitat in your own backyard, and IDNR programs. Find links and resources from the presentation below: Illinois Native Plant Society Native Plant Sales Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation K-12 Pollinator
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Analysis: Governor’s 2021 Budget Address
Initial analysis of the governor’s 2021 budget proposal and it’s impact on environmental priorities.
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Governor Pritzker’s First Year
Highlighting the environmental successes and some notable missed opportunities during Governor Pritzker’s First Year
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Governor Pritzker’s First 100 Days
The Governor of Illinois has significant influence over environmental programs and policy, as well as if, and how, the state leads on these issues. This being the case, IEC welcomed the election of Governor Pritzker, whose campaign promised 100% renewable energy, clean air protections and recognized the importance of our water resources. Now that we
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FY19 Budget and the Environment
This week, the General Assembly took steps to move forward a comprehensive budget for Fiscal Year 2019. As we are still dealing with the damage caused to environmental programs and our natural areas by the record-setting budget impasse, it’s vital that a sound budget is in place for our work growing clean jobs, conserving open spaces, and protecting
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Illinois Bobcat Hunting Program is Flawed
By Jennifer WallingExecutive Director, IEC Governor Rauner’s Illinois Department of Natural Resources recently increased the number of bobcat hunting permits from 500 to 1,000 for the upcoming season. The announcement of an increase in the number of permits was issued despite the fact that there is currently a bill sitting on the Governor’s desk that
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